Surface low pressure tracked from southern Alberta, to western North Dakota, into northeast South Dakota, and then into southern Minnesota.  A little freezing rain fell south of a Valley City (ND) to Elbow Lake (MN) line.  Meanwhile, 4 to 6 inches of snow fell along the Devils Lake (ND) to Fargo (ND) to Wadena (MN) corridor.  After the surface low passed through, wind speeds rapidly increased (gusting up to 50 mph).  Whiteout conditions developed friday afternoon (the 21st) and continued into early saturday.  Initially a winter storm warning was issued for this event, but as it became clear that whiteout conditions would develop, it was upgraded to a blizzard warning.  Many schools cancelled early on friday afternoon, and many evening events were also rescheduled.  Hundreds of vehicles were reported in the ditch.  Several flights into Hector International Airport (in Fargo, ND) were cancelled.  Numerous roads were closed.  Interstate 29 was closed its entire length in eastern North Dakota.  Interstate 94 was closed between Moorhead and Alexandria (MN).  U.S. Highway 10 was closed between Moorhead and Detroit Lakes (MN) and U.S. Highway 2 was closed between East Grand Forks and Crookston (MN).  The saturday mail delivery was delayed or cancelled in some areas due to poor road conditions.  Manitoba Highway 75 was also closed from the Canadian border to Winnipeg.  This forced some people into Pembina (ND) to look for a place to stay.  Local motels quickly filled up, forcing officials to house 30 people in the Pembina school.

Blizzard in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in CAVALIER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in TOWNER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in WESTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in EASTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in GRIGGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Blizzard in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 21-JAN-05 04:20:00 to 22-JAN-05 06:53:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC